Final Battle To Save The Foundry

Protesters have gathered outside the Foundry in Hoxton in a last-ditch attempt to save it from the wrecking ball.

The bar-cum-art gallery has been occupied by squatters since it was forced to close at the end of May. They were given a court order last week that demanded they leave, with the promise that work to demolish the structure would begin at 7.30am this morning. The squatters have called on people to gather en masse outside and defend the building. On a brief visit earlier today, around 50-60 people had responded to their call.

Lest we forget, the Foundry is being demolished to make way for the art'otel, an 18-storey "art-themed hotel" shaped like a flip-top bin that will instantly become the ugliest building in an area full of questionable modern erections. Against the forces of development and commerce, the defenders of the Foundry stand little chance of success. But in the ongoing gentrification of east London, this may be a key battle.

The latest is that around 100 people are now gathered outside, and police are preparing to evict them. Follow the story via the Twitter.